Ara Papian’s book on Woodrow Wilson’s arbitration, titled “The Wilsonian Armenia: The Legal, Historical, and Political Aspects of the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Arbitral Award of 22 November 1920”, explores the legal foundation of the United States’ involvement in determining the territorial boundaries of Armenia through President Woodrow Wilson’s arbitration in 1920.

Key Points of the Book:

1. Historical Context:

   • The book delves into the historical background of the Armenian Question in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It outlines the plight of Armenians under Ottoman rule, particularly highlighting the genocide of 1915 and the geopolitical shifts during and after World War I.

2. Wilson’s Arbitral Award:

   • President Wilson was invited by the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers (April 26, 1920) to arbitrate the boundary of the future Armenian state with Turkey.
   • Wilson’s arbitral award, issued on November 22, 1920, delineated the borders of Armenia, granting it significant territories in what is now Eastern Turkey, including the provinces of Van, Erzurum, Bitlis, and Trabzon.

3. Legal and Political Implications:

   • Papian, who is both a historian and a diplomat, focuses on the legal aspects of the award, emphasizing that Wilson’s decision was not merely advisory but had binding legal implications under international law.
   • He argues that Wilson’s arbitration remains valid, even though subsequent political developments (such as the Turkish War of Independence and the Treaty of Lausanne) have ignored or overwritten these boundaries. 

4. Contemporary Relevance:

   • Papian explores how Armenia can pursue its rights under international law by bringing attention to the legal precedent established by Wilson's arbitration. The book serves as an important resource for scholars and policymakers interested in the Armenian cause and international law.

In essence, Ara Papian’s book advocates for a historical and legal re-examination of Armenia’s territorial rights, emphasizing the binding nature of President Wilson’s arbitration and the continuing relevance of his award in modern international law. 

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